Ira O. Knapp (1839-1910) was born in Lyman, New Hampshire, and died in Boston, Massachusetts. Knapp taught in the Lyman district schools and later served for six years as the school superintendent. He also held public office, serving Lyman as selectman, collector of taxes, and overseer of the poor. In 1884, Knapp became interested in Christian Science after meeting Julia S. Bartlett, a student of Mary Baker Eddy's. Soon afterwards, Knapp and his wife, Flavia Stickney Knapp, received Christian Science treatment through prayer from Mary E. Harris, also a student of Eddy's. Knapp studied with Eddy, completing the Primary (1884 and 1885), Obstetrics (1887) and Normal (1888) classes. He joined the Christian Scientist Association in December 1885. In February 1893, Eddy appointed Knapp to serve on the Bible Lesson Committee, a position he held until 1910. Knapp was one of the four Directors of the Church named in the Deed of Trust when The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was formed in September 1892. He served on the Board of Directors for eighteen years, until his passing.

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